U.S. patent application number 12/042666 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for fluorescence observation apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to OLYMPUS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Chika NAKAJIMA, Yuki NAKATO.
Application Number | 20080219511 12/042666 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39473184 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080219511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAKAJIMA; Chika ; et
al. |
September 11, 2008 |
FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION APPARATUS
Abstract
Provided is a fluorescence observation apparatus that enables
efficient data acquisition by simplifying the positioning process
of a small laboratory animal and that enables easy comparative
examination of many images. The fluorescence observation apparatus
includes a display unit configured to display a plurality of
combined images arrayed in at least one direction, each of the
combined images being generated by combining a bright-field image
and a fluorescence image of a small laboratory animal; an
outline-extracting unit configured to extract an outline of the
small laboratory animal in the bright-field image included in each
combined image; and an image-position adjusting unit configured to
adjust the display positions of the combined images such that the
outlines of the small laboratory animal extracted by the
outline-extracting unit match each other in a direction orthogonal
to the arrayed direction.
Inventors: |
NAKAJIMA; Chika; (Tokyo,
JP) ; NAKATO; Yuki; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
39473184 |
Appl. No.: |
12/042666 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
382/110 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06T 2207/10064
20130101; G06T 2207/30004 20130101; G06T 7/33 20170101; G01N
21/6456 20130101; G02B 21/16 20130101; G02B 21/365 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
382/110 |
International
Class: |
G06K 9/00 20060101
G06K009/00; G06K 9/20 20060101 G06K009/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 9, 2007 |
JP |
2007-060483 |
Claims
1. A fluorescence observation apparatus comprising: a display unit
configured to display a plurality of combined images arrayed in at
least one direction, each of the combined images being generated by
combining a bright-field image and a fluorescence image of a small
laboratory animal; an outline-extracting unit configured to extract
an outline of the small laboratory animal in the bright-field image
included in each combined image; and an image-position adjusting
unit configured to adjust the display positions of the combined
images such that the outlines of the small laboratory animal
extracted by the outline-extracting unit match each other in a
direction orthogonal to the arrayed direction.
2. The fluorescence observation apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the image-position adjusting unit calculates the centers of
gravity of the outlines of the small laboratory animal and adjusts
the display positions of the combined images such that the centers
of gravity in the combined images match each other in the direction
orthogonal to the arrayed direction.
3. The fluorescence observation apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the image-position adjusting unit calculates the
longitudinal direction and the orientation of the outlines of the
small laboratory animal and adjusts the display angles of the
combined images such that the longitudinal directions and the
orientations of the combined images match each other.
4. A fluorescence observation apparatus comprising: a display unit
configured to display and switch between a plurality of combined
images that are each generated by combining a bright-field image
and a fluorescence image of a small laboratory animal; an
outline-extracting unit configured to extract an outline of the
small laboratory animal in the bright-field image included in each
combined image; and an image-position adjusting unit configured to
adjust the display positions of the combined images such that the
outlines of the small laboratory animal extracted by the
outline-extracting unit match each other.
5. The fluorescence observation apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the image-position adjusting unit calculates the centers of
gravity of the outlines of the small laboratory animal and adjusts
the display positions of the combined images such that the centers
of gravity in the combined images match each other.
6. The fluorescence observation apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the image-position adjusting unit calculates the
longitudinal direction and the orientation of the outlines of the
small laboratory animal and adjusts the display angles of the
combined images such that the longitudinal directions and the
orientations of the combined images match each other.
7. The fluorescence observation apparatus according to claim 1
further comprising: an observation optical system configured to
acquire the bright-field images and the fluorescence images of the
small laboratory animal; an image-combining unit configured to
combine a bright-field image and a fluorescence image acquired by
fixing the observation optical system with respect to the small
laboratory animal; and an image-storing unit configured to store
the combined image acquired by the image-combining unit, wherein a
plurality of combined images stored in the image-storing unit is
displayed on the display unit.
8. The fluorescence observation apparatus according to claim 7
further comprising: an image analyzing unit configured to analyze
the combined images stored in the image-storing unit.
9. The fluorescence observation apparatus according to claim 7
further comprising: a case configured to accommodate the
observation optical system and block light, wherein the case has an
openable and closable door and a sensor configured to detect the
opening and closing of the door, and wherein, when the sensor
detects that the door has been closed, a bright-field image and a
fluorescence image are acquired by the observation optical
system.
10. The fluorescence observation apparatus according to claim 4
further comprising: an observation optical system configured to
acquire the bright-field images and the fluorescence images of the
small laboratory animal; an image-combining unit configured to
combine a bright-field image and a fluorescence image acquired by
fixing the observation optical system with respect to the small
laboratory animal; and an image-storing unit configured to store
the combined image acquired by the image-combining unit, wherein a
plurality of combined images stored in the image-storing unit is
displayed on the display unit.
11. The fluorescence observation apparatus according to claim 10
further comprising: an image analyzing unit configured to analyze
the combined images stored in the image-storing unit.
12. The fluorescence observation apparatus according to claim 10
further comprising: a case configured to accommodate the
observation optical system and block light, wherein the case has an
openable and closable door and a sensor configured to detect the
opening and closing of the door, and wherein, when the sensor
detects that the door has been closed, a bright-field image and a
fluorescence image are acquired by the observation optical system.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a fluorescence observation
apparatus.
[0003] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No.
2007-060483, the content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] With fluorescence observation apparatuses according to the
related art, a small laboratory animal, such as a mouse, is
illuminated with excitation light and fluorescence emitted at an
affected site, such as cancer tissue, and is observed (for example,
refer to U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,135). Compared with observation of
luminescence, observation of fluorescence is advantageous in that
the observed image is clear and easy to examine since relatively
high-intensity fluorescence is used for the observation.
[0006] A drug is applied to an affected site of a small laboratory
animal. Then, drug discovery screening is carried out to examine
changes in the affected site of the same small laboratory animal
over time or to confirm the effect of the drug on a plurality of
small laboratory animals. To increase the accuracy of the drug
discovery screening, the same small laboratory animal must be
examined several times at predetermined time intervals, or a
plurality of small laboratory animals must be examined at once.
[0007] However, to examine a small laboratory animal at
predetermined time intervals, the process of placing the small
laboratory animal on an examination apparatus has to be repeated,
and each time the process is repeated, the small laboratory animal
has be positioned. In other words, there is a disadvantage in that
data cannot be obtained effectively if the positioning process
takes too much time. Furthermore, if the small laboratory animal is
not positioned accurately, the position of the affected site in the
acquired fluorescence images change. Consequently, there is another
disadvantage in that it becomes difficult to confirm a change in
the affected site by carrying out comparative examination in which
the fluorescence images are arrayed on a display screen or
comparative examination in which the fluorescence images are
switched on the display.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been conceived in light of the
problems described above. Accordingly, it is an object of the
present invention to provide a fluorescence observation apparatus
that enables efficient data acquisition by simplifying the
positioning process of a small laboratory animal and that enables
easy comparative examination of many images.
[0009] To achieve the above-described objects, the present
invention provides the following solutions.
[0010] A first aspect of the present invention provides a
fluorescence observation apparatus including a display unit
configured to display a plurality of combined images arrayed in at
least one direction, each of the combined images being generated by
combining a bright-field image and a fluorescence image of a small
laboratory animal; an outline-extracting unit configured to extract
an outline of the small laboratory animal in the bright-field image
included in each combined image; and an image-position adjusting
unit configured to adjust the display positions of the combined
images such that the outlines of the small laboratory animal
extracted by the outline-extracting unit match each other in a
direction orthogonal to the arrayed direction.
[0011] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the
outline of the small laboratory animal in the bright-field image
included in the combined image is extracted by operating the
outline-extracting unit, and by operating the image-position
adjusting unit, the display positions of the combined images are
adjusted such that the outlines of the small laboratory animal in
the combined images extracted by the outline-extracting unit match
each other in a direction orthogonal to the arrayed direction. In
this state, the combined images are arrayed and displayed in at
least one direction by operating the display unit.
[0012] In this way, when the bright-field images and the
fluorescence images of the small laboratory animal are acquired at
predetermined time intervals, even when the small laboratory animal
is roughly positioned, combined images in which the outlines of
small laboratory animal are oriented in a direction orthogonal to
the arrayed direction of the combined images can be displayed.
Moreover, comparative examination of these combined images can be
easily carried out.
[0013] In other words, the amount of time required for positioning
the small laboratory animal can be reduced, and drug discovery
screening can be carried out efficiently to examine the changes
over time in the affected site of the same small laboratory animal
or to confirm the effect of a drug on a plurality of small
laboratory animals.
[0014] According to the first aspect, the image-position adjusting
unit may calculate the centers of gravity of the outlines of the
small laboratory animal and adjust the display positions of the
combined images such that the centers of gravity in the combined
images match each other in the direction orthogonal to the arrayed
direction.
[0015] In this way, even if the outlines of the small laboratory
animal move slightly, the display positions can be matched so that
the outlines to not move greatly in the direction orthogonal to the
arrayed direction.
[0016] According to the first aspect, the image-position adjusting
unit may calculate the longitudinal direction and the orientation
of the outlines of the small laboratory animal and adjust the
display angles of the combined images such that the longitudinal
directions and the orientations of the combined images match each
other.
[0017] In this way, the combined images arrayed in at least one
direction are displayed on the display unit while the longitudinal
direction and the orientation of the outlines of the small
laboratory animal match the longitudinal direction and the
orientation of other combined images in the direction orthogonal to
the arrayed direction. By matching the longitudinal directions of
the outlines, the outlines of the small laboratory animal are
arrayed substantially parallel to each other. Moreover, by matching
the longitudinal directions of the outlines, the orientations of
the head area of the outlines of the small laboratory animal can be
matched.
[0018] A second aspect of the present invention provides a
fluorescence observation apparatus including a display unit
configured to display and switch between a plurality of combined
images that are each generated by combining a bright-field field
image and a fluorescence image of a small laboratory animal; an
outline-extracting unit configured to extract an outline of the
small laboratory animal in the bright-field image included in each
combined image; and an image-position adjusting unit configured to
adjust the display positions of the combined images such that the
outlines of the small laboratory animal extracted by the
outline-extracting unit match each other.
[0019] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the
outline of the small laboratory animal in the bright-field image
included in the combined image is extracted by operating the
outline-extracting unit, and by operating the image-position
adjusting unit, the display positions of the combined images are
adjusted such that the outlines of the small laboratory animal in
the combined images extracted by the outline-extracting unit match
each other in a direction orthogonal to the arrayed direction. In
this state, the combined images are switched and displayed by
operating the display unit.
[0020] In this way, comparative examination of the changes or
differences in the affected site, in particular, can be carried out
because the outlines of the small laboratory animal match when the
combined images are switched sequentially.
[0021] According to the second aspect, the image-position adjusting
unit may calculate the centers of gravity of the outlines of the
small laboratory animal and adjust the display positions of the
combined images such that the centers of gravity in the combined
images match each other.
[0022] In this way, even when the outlines of the small laboratory
animal change to a certain degree, the outlines can be matched and
displayed so that their display positions do not change greatly.
Therefore, the correspondence and changes between the affected
sites in the combined images can be checked quickly.
[0023] According to the second aspect, the image-position adjusting
unit may calculate the longitudinal direction and the orientation
of the outlines of the small laboratory animal and adjust the
display angles of the combined images such that the longitudinal
directions and the orientations of the combined images match each
other.
[0024] In this way, the combined images, which are switched
sequentially, are displayed by the display unit while matching the
longitudinal direction and the orientation of the outlines of the
small laboratory animal. In this way, comparative examination can
be carried out even more easily since the outlines of the small
laboratory animal in the combined images are displayed with the
same rotational orientation.
[0025] According to the second aspect, the fluorescence observation
apparatus may further include an observation optical system
configured to acquire the bright-field images and the fluorescence
images of the small laboratory animal; an image-combining unit
configured to combine a bright-field image and a fluorescence image
acquired by fixing the observation optical system with respect to
the small laboratory animal; and an image-storing unit configured
to store the combined image acquired by the image-combining unit,
in which a plurality of combined images stored in the image-storing
unit may displayed on the display unit.
[0026] According to the second aspect, the fluorescence observation
apparatus may further include an image analyzing unit configured to
analyze the combined images stored in the image-storing unit.
[0027] According to the second aspect, the fluorescence observation
apparatus may further include a case configured to accommodate the
observation optical system and block light, in which the case may
have an openable and closable door and a sensor configured to
detect the opening and closing of the door, and in which, when the
sensor detects that the door has been closed, the observation
optical system may acquire a bright-field image and a fluorescence
image.
[0028] In this way, by opening the door of the case, positioning
the small laboratory animal in the observation optical system, and
then closing the door, light is blocked from entering the case.
When the closing of the door is detected by the sensor, a
bright-field image and a fluorescence image are acquired by the
observation optical system. Since light is blocked from entering
the case when the door is closed, a bright-field image and a
fluorescence image can be acquired without being affected by
outside light, and leakage of the excitation light is
prevented.
[0029] The present invention is advantageous in that data can be
acquired efficiently by simplifying the positioning process of a
small laboratory animal and that a comparative examination of many
images can be carried out easily.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates the overall structure of a fluorescence
observation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 2A illustrates an example bright-field image acquired
by the fluorescence observation apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 2B illustrates an example fluorescence image acquired
by the fluorescence observation apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 2C illustrates an example combined image acquired by
the fluorescence observation apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates the center of gravity and the orientation
of a mouse calculated from the combined image acquired by the
fluorescence observation apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates an example display of a plurality of
combined images acquired by the fluorescence observation apparatus
shown in FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates an example display of the plurality of
combined images shown in FIG. 4, with the image region outside the
outline of the mouse removed.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a comparative example of a plurality of
unprocessed combined images acquired by the fluorescence
observation apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates a modification of displaying a plurality
of combined images acquired by the fluorescence observation
apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] A fluorescence observation apparatus 1 according to an
embodiment of the present invention will be described below with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the fluorescence observation apparatus 1
according to this embodiment includes a main body 2 of the
fluorescence observation apparatus 1, an image combining unit 3, an
image storing unit 4, a display unit 5, and a control unit
(outline-extracting unit, image-position adjusting unit, and image
analyzing unit) 6 that controls these units.
[0041] The main body 2 includes a stage 7 for placing a small
laboratory animal, such as a mouse A, an observation optical system
8, and a case 9 that accommodates the observation optical system 8
and blocks light.
[0042] The observation optical system 8 includes a visible-light
source 10 that emits visible light for bright-field examination, an
excitation light source 11 that emits excitation light for
fluorescence observation, a mirror 12 and a dichroic mirror 13 that
combine the visible light and the excitation light into the same
optical path, a focal-point adjustment optical system 14 that
adjusts the focal points of the visible light and the excitation
light, a zooming optical system 15 that adjusts the examination
magnification, an objective lens 16 that illuminates the mouse A on
the stage 7 with visible light and excitation light and that
collects the reflected visible light and fluorescence from the
mouse A, a dichroic mirror 17 that separates the reflected light
and fluorescence collected by the objective lens 16 from the
excitation light, and an image-acquisition unit 18 that acquires
the separated reflected light and fluorescence.
[0043] On the case 9, a door 19 that can be opened and closed is
provided near the stage 7. A sensor 20 that detects that the door
19 is closed is provided on the door 19. Reference numeral 21
represents a detection member that is detected by the sensor
20.
[0044] The image combining unit 3 generates a combined image
G.sub.3, shown in FIG. 2C, by combining a bright-field image
(reflected-light image) G.sub.1, shown in FIG. 2A, and a
fluorescence image G.sub.2 of an affected site B, shown in FIG. 2B.
The bright-field image G.sub.1 is an image including an outline of
the mouse A and is acquired by illuminating the mouse A with the
visible light from the visible-light source 10 and acquiring the
reflected light from the surface of the mouse A at the
image-acquisition unit 18. The fluorescence image G.sub.2 is
acquired by illuminating the mouse A with the excitation light from
the excitation light source 11 and acquiring the fluorescence
emitted at the mouse A.
[0045] The image storing unit 4 stores the generated combined
images G.sub.3 in sequence.
[0046] The control unit 6 drives the main body 2 when it receives a
closed signal for the door 19 from the sensor 20 of the case 9 and
generates a combined image G.sub.3 by operating the image combining
unit 3. After a plurality of combined images G.sub.3 is stored in
the image storing unit 4, the control unit 6 reads these combined
images G.sub.3 and carries out the following image processing.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, each combined image G.sub.3 is processed
to extract the outline of the mouse A in the bright-field image
G.sub.1 included in the combined image G.sub.3. Extraction of the
outline can be easily carried out by any method according to the
related art, such as digitization or pixel displacement.
[0048] Subsequently, the center of gravity C of the extracted
outline is determined. The center of gravity C can be easily
calculated by, for example, calculating the area in the extracted
outline and determining the intersecting point of two lines each of
which divides the area in half.
[0049] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3, the longitudinal direction
and the orientation (arrow D) of the outline of the mouse A in each
combined image G.sub.3 is determined. The longitudinal direction
can be determined easily by connecting the pixels farthest apart on
the outline. The orientation of the mouse A can be easily
determined by extracting characteristic parts, such as eyes,
whiskers, nose, and tail, which differentiate the head and the tail
area.
[0050] Then, the control unit 6 displays the combined images
G.sub.3 in an array shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates an example
array of combined images G.sub.3 displayed on the display unit 5.
In this embodiment, the control unit 6 displays fifteen combined
images G.sub.3 on the screen of the display unit 5 in an array of
five columns and three rows.
[0051] In this case according to this embodiment, the combined
images G.sub.3 are arrayed by translating and rotating the combined
images G.sub.3 such that the centers of gravity of the combined
images G.sub.3 match the points provided at equal intervals along
longitudinal and lateral lines K, shown in FIG. 4, and such that
the arrows D in the combined images G.sub.3 point in the same
direction.
[0052] The operation of the fluorescence observation apparatus 1
according to this embodiment, configured as described above, will
be described below.
[0053] To carry out fluorescence observation of a mouse A using the
fluorescence observation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment,
the operator secures an anesthetized mouse A, into which a
fluorescent agent has been dosed, on the stage 7 inside the case 9
of the main body 2 and closes the door 19 of the case 9.
[0054] Since the sensor 20 is provided on the door 19 of the case
9, a signal indicating that the door 19 has been closed is sent to
the control unit 6 from the sensor 20.
[0055] The control unit 6 sends an operation signal to the main
body 2 and the image combining unit 3 and acquires a bright-field
image G.sub.1 and a fluorescence image G.sub.2 from the main body
2.
[0056] Specifically, in response to the operation signal from the
control unit 6, visible light is emitted from the visible-light
source 10 of the main body 2 and is incident on the mouse A on the
stage 7. The light reflected at the surface of the mouse A is
collected by the objective lens 16 and is acquired by the
image-acquisition unit 18. A bright-field image G.sub.1, including
the outline of the mouse A, that is acquired by the
image-acquisition unit 18 is sent to and temporarily stored in the
image combining unit 3.
[0057] Then, excitation light is emitted from the excitation light
source 11 and is incident on the mouse A on the stage 7.
Fluorescence is emitted by the excited fluorescent agent
accumulated at a specific affected site B, such as cancer, of the
mouse A. The emitted fluorescence is focused by the objective lens
16 and is acquired by the image-acquisition unit 18. In the
fluorescence image G.sub.2 acquired by the image-acquisition unit
18, the shape of the affected site B appears high intensity. This
fluorescence image G.sub.2 is sent to the image combining unit 3
and is combined with the stored bright-field image G.sub.1 so as to
generate a combined image G.sub.3. The generated combined image
G.sub.3 is stored in the image storing unit 4.
[0058] To carry out fluorescence observation of the same mouse A
over time, the door 19 of the case 9 is opened and the mouse A is
removed. After awakening, the mouse A returns to normal activity
and is then anesthetized again to repeat the above-described
process. In this way, multiple combined images G.sub.3 can be
stored in the image storing unit 4. To carry out fluorescence
observation of different mice A, the door 19 of the case 9 is
opened and the mouse A is removed. Then, a different anesthetized
mouse A is placed on the stage 7 and the above-described process is
repeated.
[0059] After, for example, fifteen combined images G.sub.3 are
stored in the image storing unit 4, the control unit 6 processes
these combined images G.sub.3 to calculate the centers of gravity C
and the orientations D of the mouse. Then, the combined images
G.sub.3 are translated and rotated such that the centers of gravity
C are arrayed at equal intervals and such that the orientations D
of the mouse match, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0060] Then, for example, by carrying out image processing to
remove the image region outside the outline of the mouse A in each
combined image G.sub.3, outlines of the mouse A in all of the
combined images G.sub.3 can be arrayed at equal intervals and in
the same direction on the display unit 5, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0061] With the fluorescence observation apparatus 1 according to
this embodiment, configured as described above, combined images
G.sub.3 of the same mouse A or different mice A acquired at
predetermined time intervals can be regularly arrayed and displayed
on the display unit 5. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that,
when a change in the shape of an affected site B in the same
specimen over time is to be examined, the change can be easily
observed without missing any minute changes. Furthermore,
comparative examination of the shapes of affected sites B in
different specimens can be carried out, and the differences in the
affected sites B in the different specimens can be easily
discovered.
[0062] For comparison, FIG. 6 illustrates unprocessed combined
images G.sub.3 displayed in an array. In FIG. 6, the positions of
the affected sites B vary in the vertical direction on the display
screen. Moreover, since some of the combined images G.sub.3 are
rotated, it is difficult to quickly and accurately determine
whether the position or the shape of the affected site B inside the
outlines of the mouse A has changed.
[0063] In contrast, since the fluorescence observation apparatus 1
according to this embodiment regularly arrays and displays the
outlines of the mouse A in all combined images G.sub.3, as shown in
FIG. 5, there is an advantage in that slight changes in the
position and shape of the affected site B inside the outlines of
the mouse A can be easily detected.
[0064] Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, the
mouse A is secured on the stage 7 each time a combined image
G.sub.3 is acquired at a predetermined time interval. When securing
the mouse A, the mouse A merely needs to be roughly positioned in
the field of view of the image-acquisition unit 18 so that the
field includes almost the entire body of the mouse A. In other
words, the mouse A does not have to be accurately positioned and
secured on the stage 7 since the generated combined images G.sub.3
are moved such that the outlines of the mouse A are displayed in a
regular array.
[0065] As a result, the examination time can be reduced by
simplifying the operation required for securing the mouse A.
[0066] In particular, there is an advantage in that, when images of
many mice A need to be acquired, for example, to carry out drug
discovery screening, many combined images G.sub.3 can be quickly
acquired by reducing the time required for changing the mouse
A.
[0067] In this embodiment, the observation optical system 8
including the excitation light source 11 is stored inside the case
9, and excitation light is emitted from the excitation light source
11 by detecting the closing of the door 19. This is advantageous in
that leakage of the excitation light to the outside can be
prevented.
[0068] In this embodiment, a combined image G.sub.3 is displayed by
removing the image region outside the outline of the mouse A.
Instead, however, as shown in FIG. 4, the combined image G.sub.3
may be displayed without removing the image region outside the
outline of the mouse A. As shown in FIG. 7, images of outlines of
the mouse A which are regularly arrayed may be displayed at the
centers inside regularly arrayed frames.
[0069] In this embodiment, a mouse A is used as the small
laboratory animal as an example. However, the small laboratory
animal is not limited to a mouse A; any other small laboratory
animal may be used for fluorescence observation.
[0070] In this embodiment, fifteen combined images G.sub.3 are
arrayed as an example. Instead, however, any number of combined
images may be displayed in any number of rows and columns. The
combined images G.sub.3 may be displayed in a single row or
column.
[0071] The control unit 6 may calculate the area, the average
intensity, and the maximum intensity of the affected site B on the
basis of the acquired combined images G.sub.3 and analyze the
affected site B using the calculated values.
[0072] In this embodiment, a plurality of combined images G.sub.3
is arrayed and displayed at once. Instead, however, each of the
plurality of combined images G.sub.3 may be displayed one by
one.
[0073] In such a case, each combined image G.sub.3 may be displayed
so that the center of gravity C and the orientation D of the mouse
A calculated by the control unit 6 match those in the other
combined images G.sub.3.
[0074] In this way, when the change of the same mouse A over time
is examined, the outlines can be substantially fixed so that only
the change of the shape and position of the affected site B is
displayed. Accordingly, the changes in the affected site B over
time can be easily examined.
[0075] Moreover, there is an advantage in that, when comparative
examination of different mice A is carried out, the differences in
the sizes and positions of the affected sites B can be clearly
examined, and, in this way, even slight differences in the affected
sites B will not be missed.
* * * * *